NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. and BETHPAGE, N.Y., April 18, 2012 -- Patricia "Pat" McMahon of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been named the 2012 recipient of the Navy League of the United States Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz Award.

The award was presented today by U.S. Marine Corps Assistant Commandant General Joseph Dunford, Jr., before a luncheon crowd of over 500 people at
the Sea-Air-Space Exposition
at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center. McMahon serves as sector vice president and general manager, military aircraft systems for the corporation's aerospace systems' sector.

The Navy League's Nimitz Award honors an industry leader who has made significant contributions to maritime strength and national security. The Navy League selects its winner from an exhaustive field of candidates who best demonstrate the leadership, statesmanship and dedication exhibited by the award's namesake, Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. McMahon is the first woman to receive this award since its creation in 1981.

"The Navy League has a great relationship with our defense industry partners. The competition is fierce for this award. Pat McMahon is a true professional who shares the Navy League commitment to the men and women of our nation's sea services," said Dale Lumme, national executive director for Navy League. "We're delighted to present her this honor at Sea-Air-Space."

McMahon is responsible for U.S. Navy programs including the E-2 Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, F/A-18 Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler, as well as the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, the U.S. Air Force's B-2 Bomber and E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, and the U.S. Army's Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle program. She began her career three decades ago at the Defense Logistics Agency.

"I'm deeply honored to accept the Nimitz Award from the Navy League of the United States. So many great honorees have come before me, including two from my company: Dr. Renso Caporali in 1993 and Kent Kresa in 2002. I hope that my designation as the first woman to receive this award inspires other young people -- especially young women -- to go forth in their careers to achieve what the award stands for," McMahon said.

"Pat McMahon is a true leader and a great role model for young people seeking to enter the defense industry," said Navy Vice Adm. W. Mark Skinner, the principal military deputy for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition). "She demonstrates daily commitment to the success of her team and to the men and women who serve our great nation."

The Navy League of the United States is a nonprofit civilian organization whose mission has been to educate American citizens and elected officials about the importance of sea power to U.S. national security for more than 110 years. The Navy League remains dedicated to enhancing the morale and supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families, and providing mentorship and support to youth programs such as the Naval Sea Cadets Corps, Junior ROTC and Young Marines. Each year, the Navy League presents Sea-Air-Space, the world's largest maritime exposition, featuring the latest innovations and technologies in the defense industry. Visit
www.navyleague.org
for more information.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com
for more information.